Interesting Facts About Sherlock

1. SHERLOCK HOLMES JS A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER.

In 2012, Guinness World Records announced that Sherlock Holmes had broken the record for the "Most Portrayed Literary Human Character in Film & TV" an impressive feat! Although the most portrayed character overall is heavily disputed, usually with Sherlock and Dracula having a tussle for the number one spot (and who wouldn't want to see that battle play out!), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brainy detective officially tops the list for literary humans in film and TV. Since his creation, he has been played by over 75 actors and had starring roles on the big and small screens over 250 times.

2. ONLY ONE SHERLOCK HOLMES STORY WASN'T SET IN THE VICTORIAN OR EDWARDIAN PERIODS

We have all noticed the period backdrop to the stories of Sherlock Holmes. But in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's later collections of Sherlock Holmes short stories, the legendary detective is catching spies for British intelligence agencies, finally retiring and spending his day's beekeeping!

3. SHERLOCK HOLMES'S PARENTS ARE NEVER MENTIONED IN ANY OF HIS STORIES

Not one mention - imagine being poor Roger and Daphne Holmes (presumed names!). You would be livid, right?! Though he was never the sentimental sort, the only mention of Sherlock Holmes's family in any of the Sherlock stories (apart from his brother, Mycroft) is in reference to his ancestors.

4. “ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON” WAS NOT SAID BY SHERLOCK

"Elementary" - yes. "My dear Watson" - but, of course. The time old combination of the two phrases, however, never once did it leave his lips. This, though, didn't stop it becoming a huge part of popular culture and part of Sherlockian folk law. If you're interested, it was apparently first uttered in the 1929 Clive Brook film The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

5. SHERLOCK WASN'T ALWAYS DECIDED TO BE CALLED “SHERLOCK”

Did you know he was almost named "Sherrinford" - just as great a name for a sleuth, or we think so anyway. The name "Sherlock" is actually a combination of the names of two cricketers: Mortdecai Sherwin and Joseph Shacklock. Doyle himself was a keen (and talented) cricketer, so we'd like to think this is the true origin of Sherlock Holmes's name.